South Alabama's Metheny looking forward to N.C. State game

MOBILE, Alabama -- Ross Metheny's playing time came along at just the right time for the transfer from Virginia. It appears South Alabama's No. 2 quarterback, who led the Jaguars' offense on several possessions in the 9-3 win over Nicholls State, will also get playing time this week when USA visits North Carolina State.

South Alabama quarterback Ross Metheny (2) throws a pass to Jaguars' tight end Wes Saxton (17) in USA's 9-3 victory over Nicholls State at Ladd-Peebles Stadium on Sept. 8, 2012, in Mobile, Ala.

Of all the games on the Jags' schedule this season, that's the one that stands out the most for Metheny, who played for two seasons in the ACC in his three years at Virginia. He said he's looking forward to Saturday's game.

"It will be a neat experience,'' Metheny said. "I know some of the guys on the (Wolfpack) team from high school. Personally, this game means a lot just because it is another ACC opponent and (I'm) coming from an ACC school. But you don't want to look past this team and I think we're going to work hard this week as a team and as a unit and go up there with our best football and see what we can do.''

Metheny graduated from UVA in three years and took advantage of the NCAA rule that allows athletes who have graduated from one school with an undergraduate degree to transfer to another school for post-graduate studies and be eligible to play immediately if they have retained eligibility. The 6-foot-3, 205-pound Metheny has two years of eligibility remaining, having taken a redshirt season his first year at Virginia.

"No, we never went down there,'' he said when asked if Virginia played at N.C. State during his time with the Cavaliers. "They came to UVA last year. That was the only time we played them when I was there. So it will be a new atmosphere (for me). Everybody's excited about it. That happens anytime you get to go play in those big stadiums.

"Fortunately I have been in a couple of those big stadiums before. UVA is a pretty big stadium itself and I've been to Florida State and (Virginia) Tech and all those places. I have some experience going to those places. I got in a couple of game reps in an environment like that and that's always useful to have. But it's a new game and a new experience and a new team with these guys. I'm excited to get there.''

At Virginia, Metheny played sparingly. His redshirt freshman season of 2010, Metheny played in five games, completing 13-of-17 passes for 171 yards and three touchdowns. Last season, he was 2-for-2 passing for 36 yards. He played just one offensive series in the Jags' season-opening loss to Texas-San Antonio, but in last week's win over Nicholls State he earned more playing time and head coach Joey Jones said Metheny and starter C.J. Bennett will both play in the next two games prior to the start of Sun Belt Conference play.

In two games with the Jags, Metheny is 6-of-12 passing for 58 yards, no interceptions and no touchdowns. He has also carried the ball 10 times for 14 yards. Bennett is 26-of-44 passing for 293 yards, one interception and two touchdowns.

"Anything I can do to help the team win is the main thing,'' Metheny said. "It was good to get in there. I was telling (someone) those were the first meaningful snaps I've taken in three years. Anytime I got in (the game) at Virginia and got some experience, we were down big. It was that kind of situation. It was good to get in the game in that kind of environment and that stage and perform. I think it's definitely useful going forward.

"Anytime you get some reps it becomes more comfortable. There's definitely areas to improve on and that's never going to change. I was comfortable (with the offense) coming out of camp, but anytime you get more reps and you're preparing for a team and you get to practice, you get a lot more comfortable. So I'd definitely say I'm getting more comfortable with things.''

Quarterbacks coach Bryant Vincent said Metheny caught on to the new offense quickly and he has pushed Bennett throughout fall camp and into the start of the season.

"I think Ross has gotten better every day, every week, since he's gotten here,'' Vincent said. "He's a very driven, hard-working guy that really pays attention to every minor detail. I think he's been a good addition for C.J. and for our football team because he gives us depth at quarterback and he gives us competition at the quarterback position.

"I thought he did a lot of really good things (against Nicholls State) and made some good decisions, but like anybody he has some things he needs to clean up also. Overall I thought he played OK for his first opportunity to get some decent reps. I think he brings a lot of maturity. If one thing sticks out it's that. And he brings a lot of character and competitiveness. He's a very competitive person.''

It is that competitive nature that has him eager to get on the field Saturday against N.C. State.

"It's definitely huge,'' Metheny said of getting playing time in key moments. "Personally, getting on the field and performing in a situation like that, it's good for your confidence. Me being out there, I want my teammates to be able to count on me to be successful in those kinds of situations. If the quarterback is successful, usually the team is successful. That's a big thing and the quarterback being confident is a key to being successful.''

Kickoff for Saturday's game is 5 p.m. CDT. N.C. State is 1-1 and defeated the Jags 35-13 last season in Raleigh.(ep)